Bionomics launches ovarian cancer trial

Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has launched a clinical trial of its BNC105 cancer treatment candidate in women with ovarian cancer.

The Phase I/II trial will involve up to 134 women across 18 sites in Australia, New Zealand and the US.

In Australia, the trial be conducted by the Australian and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group in conjunction with the National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre.

Patients will receive BNC105 in conjunction with standard chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and gemcitabine.

BNC105 is a vascular disrupting agent that targets blood vessels found in cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells untouched. It has also been shown to have a direct cytotoxic effect on cancer cells.

The compound has potential as a treatment for a variety of solid tumour types, but current clinical trials are focused on ovarian cancer and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a form of kidney cancer.

Preclinical data indicates that the compound is effective at inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells that have built up a resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy drugs.

Bionomics CEO Dr Deborah Rathjen said the clinical trial has been designed to build on the preclinical studies.

“There is extremely promising data around this compound and we anticipate this trial will establish further potential of BNC105 in this new indication – to help women suffering ovarian cancer,” Rathjen said.

Plans for the ovarian cancer trial were first announced in August 2011, and Bionomics received FDA approval for the US arm of the study in March.

Data from the ovarian cancer and RCC trials will be used to support an application for fast track designation status for the compound with the US FDA.

Other compounds under development by Bionomics include BNC210, a treatment candidate for a range of anxiety disorders. At the start of the year, the company secured a deal for the compound with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals that could be worth up to US$345 million ($354.8 million).

Bionomics (ASX:BNO) shares were trading at $0.32 as of 4:00pm on Friday.